The Denver Broncos and Washington Football Team end the first quarter scoreless, but WFT was driving at the Broncos 20 yard line to end the quarter.
The Denver Broncos defense came out struggling to start the game as the linebacker situation continued to get exposed by opposing offenses. The Washington Football Team easily converted their first third down on a little dump off to the running back who completely juked Barrington Browning on his way to a 27 yard gain into Broncos territory early.
With Kenny Young in there instead, the Broncos defense stiffened on Washington’s next third down to force a fourth and one. Washington went for it and Justin Simmons stuffed it for a turnover on downs.
On Denver’s first possession, Pat Shurmur stuck to the run game and it worked for a first down early. Teddy Bridgewater then avoided a horrific over thrown pass that was dropped by the safety. On the very next play, Bridgewater went deep to Courtland Sutton for a 31 yard gain.
Facing 3rd and 3 Teddy Bridgwater chucks a long check down to Courtland Sutton.
Broncos first down! pic.twitter.com/owUmtpwDEj
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 31, 2021
The drive was derailed from there after a holding call on Dalton Risner and then Shurmur put Noah Fant in to block an edge rusher that predictably ended in a sack. On third down and 24, a screen pass ended in another penalty to force a third and 29 and bounced them out of field goal range for the punt.
The first quarter ended with Washington marching down the field. They would start the second quarter down near the red zone.